Seacoast is a non-denominational evangelical multi-site megachurch based in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, a suburb of Charleston. It has thirteen different locations around South Carolina and North Carolina. It is a member of the Association of Related Churches, a church-planting organization. Its senior pastor is Josh Surratt.
History
editThe church began in February 1988 with 100 people meeting in an apartment clubhouse by Greg Surratt and a team from Northwood Assembly, another large church in North Charleston.[1] In April of the same year the first 'public' meetings were held in a rented theater with a vision for reaching out to the unchurched people of the Charleston area. The church grew quickly with its contemporary worship style and support from its mother church, Northwood Assembly.[citation needed]
In 2002, the church had over 3,000 people attending weekly services, leading them to request permits to expand their facilities with local officials.[2] The town of Mount Pleasant denied all requests, however. The church then began to use a video feed to show sermons to an off-site location. This was so successful that Seacoast began to open other "satellite" facilities throughout the Charleston metropolitan area and throughout the state and now in North Carolina.[citation needed]
In 2007, it opened a Dream Center.[3]
In 2019, it dedicated a new building in Mount Pleasant including a 2,500-seat auditorium.[4]
In 2023, the church claimed to have a weekly attendance of 14,000 people and had opened 13 campuses in different cities.[5]
Beliefs
editSeacoast is a non-denominational Christian church and states its "sole basis for [its] belief is the Bible." The statement of faith is Trinitarian and states that the Bible is infallible. The statement affirms the belief that Jesus Christ "lived a sinless life on earth and voluntarily paid for our sin by dying on the cross as our substitute." and that "He rose from the dead and is the only mediator between us and God."[6]
References
edit- ^ Clark Felty, Dana (August 9, 2006). "Local church listed among "most influential" in the nation". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ Barnes, Rebecca (31 August 2005). "High-Tech Circuit Riders". ChristianityToday.com. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ Wise, Warren L. (4 August 2007). "Seacoast to bring ministry to North Charleston". Post and Courier. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ Ciapha Dennis, Rickey Jr (17 April 2019). "Seacoast grows into new 2,500-seat sanctuary at Mount Pleasant campus". Post and Courier. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ "History, Pastors, and Story". Seacoast Church. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ "Our Beliefs of God and for the Church".